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Supported Self-Management for Respiratory Conditions in Primary Care

Learn about supported self-management for respiratory conditions in primary care.

Self management are the actions taken by individual patients (or others) to manage the effects of a longterm condition such as asthma or COPD, to maintain the best quality of life.

These actions may include, for example: having the confidence to manage their symptoms and medications or to manage the relationships with their medical team, or to manage the emotional effects of their condition. The idea of self-management raises questions about the role of the healthcare professional and the role of the patient in managing their own condition. It potentially places greater responsibility or shared responsibility with the patient.

Self-care is a more general term that refers to a set of behaviours which can be adopted individuals to prevent the onset of illness or disability – again, to maintain quality of life. For example: to aim to have a healthy diet or healthy sleep routine.

The following paper describes a study of self-management interventions specific to asthma and COPD. It categorises specific interventions that could be offered by healthcare professionals to enable patients to manage their condition to a greater degree.

Supported self-management for respiratory conditions in primary care. FAQs and evidence.

This reading provides a summary of the PRISMS study and explores the following questions:

  • What is self-management and what is self-care?
  • Do patients really want to self-manage, can all patients self-manage, and isn’t it just trying to get healthcare on the cheap?
  • Does supporting self-management really work?
  • Whose job is it to support self-management… “It’s not my job, the nurse does it…”
  • This all sounds great, but there isn’t enough time to do it…

Consider the following questions whilst you read the paper and feel free to leave comments:

  1. What is your view about self-management – is this something which is already part of your practice or something you might consider?
  2. Can you give an example of where you already support your patients to self-manage?
  3. Are there any cultural issues in your country which might affect the acceptance of self-management as a concept/practice?
  4. Give an example of something you do in terms of your own self care
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Chronic Respiratory Diseases (CRD) in Primary Care Settings

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